Did you know that in order for cement to properly form and solidify, to be structurally sound and strong that it must be watered? Of course all of my engineer, water sanitation and otherwise technically inclined compatriots are shaking their heads in disappointment. Well, I'm sorry I didn't. When they told me to budget in a community contribution for barrels upon barrels of water, I took their word. And now I wish I could have given them more credit for the amount of water they are using and physical labor associated with carrying gallons of water on your head for quite a distance. Watering cement is just one of the things that I've learned about during the last 3 weeks at the construction site of Bassa and Folona's joint community maternity. I know I owe you all a nice, lengthy, informative post- and it is in the works, I promise. For now, take a peek at how this project is proceeding. So far, everyone is well pleased.
Preparing the site and outlining the foundation.
A woman from our association empties her tub of water onto the cement/sand mixture that produced the first bricks. While the men are helping the mason with the construction, the women are diligently carrying water to the work site each day.
The first brick!
Making the bricks. Along the road, you can also see a line of water-carriers. 
Everyone comes with whatever container they are able to carry without spilling. In the background, the women take turns filling their containers at the pump.
The village imam and my host uncle watering the bricks while one of the oldest men in village stands by and directs.
The hole being dug for the pit-latrine. Seriously. Hard. Work.
This is the picture I left with on Sunday morning. Since it was Sunday, some of the school children wanted to come and help out, so they were carrying bricks and gathering stones and in general, loving being a part of the process. I am sure that by now it is even more complete than this, leaving the roofing, the furniture, doors, windows and other randomness to fill in.
Okay... so I have to get back to site and transport is leaving from the auto-gare (bus station) pretty soon. Forgive me for the gap in the photos... I left out the actual building process pictures because of lack of time (and the connection keeps cutting out). I hope that you have at least a basic idea of how it is going. If all goes well, the next entry will be too long for one sitting.
